Israel to build 309-mile Jordan border fence to prevent Iran threats

Israel is set to begin construction this June on a long-anticipated security fence spanning 309 miles along its border with Jordan, a project aimed at bolstering defenses against growing regional threats. According to sources cited by the Times of Israel, the barrier will extend from the southern edge of the Golan Heights to Ramon International Airport north of Eilat and will feature advanced sensors and surveillance systems. An additional 18-mile stretch to Eilat was already reinforced in the 2010s with technology mirroring that used along Israel’s borders with Egypt and Gaza. It remains uncertain whether the Israel Defense Forces will deploy additional troops to patrol the new fence or rely primarily on its high-tech components, particularly after Hamas demonstrated the vulnerability of such systems by breaching Gaza’s fortified border on October 7, 2023.

The initiative gained momentum last August when Defense Minister Israel Katz called for its construction, pointing to Iran’s efforts to establish an “eastern terror front” against Israel. However, concerns about the Jordanian border’s security have been simmering for longer. In early 2023, retired IDF Central Command Maj. Gen. Yehuda Fuchs issued a formal warning to the IDF Chief of Staff, highlighting the border’s deficiencies. Despite Jordan’s role as a regional ally, Israeli security officials estimate that tens of thousands of weapons have been smuggled across the frontier over the past decade, facilitated by Iranian networks exploiting the area’s weaknesses.

Currently, much of the Israel-Jordan border is inadequately protected, with some sections marked only by outdated chain-link fencing and sensors, while others are delineated by basic barbed wire. The new fence aims to address these gaps, though questions linger about its effectiveness in light of recent breaches elsewhere. As construction approaches, the project underscores Israel’s determination to secure its eastern flank amid escalating tensions and evolving threats in the region.